Communication in the Workplace

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Questions and Answers

Have you ever had to convince your co-workers to accept an idea? How did you do it?

I created a standardized travel authorization process for organizing travel arrangements in advance.

Describe a situation in which you needed to use different communication styles to influence stakeholders with differing perspectives.

Tell me about a difficult or sensitive situation that required careful communication.

I had to advocate for an excellent candidate to a Dean who was hesitant due to department morale issues.

When have your communication skills been put to the test?

As Assistant to the AVP, I had to manage various complaints from both staff and students. Signup and view all the answers

Describe a time when you had to win someone over who was reluctant or unresponsive.

I built a relationship with the Senior VP's assistant by showing genuine interest in her expertise. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most rewarding experience you've had dealing with customers?

Helping a struggling student regain confidence and enthusiasm for her education. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways do you interact differently with customers at different times?

I prioritize connecting with customers but may cut down on small talk when there are many waiting. Signup and view all the answers

Describe a situation where a customer tested your patience.

A job applicant repeatedly called to question her rejections without updating her resume. Signup and view all the answers

When was the last time you broke the rules/thought outside the box?

I broke unwritten bureaucratic norms to get tasks done by learning about every department. Signup and view all the answers

Effective workplace decisions in the last 6 months?

Discontinued lecture series due to poor attendance and offered office hours at different campuses. Signup and view all the answers

How do you make a decision when there are many options?

I seek feedback, weigh pros and cons, and consider long-term outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

How do you prioritize your tasks?

I create an urgency matrix to categorize tasks by importance and urgency. Signup and view all the answers

What is something innovative you've done?

Designed and implemented an onboarding program for new staff members. Signup and view all the answers

What's an odd/unusual idea someone brought to you?

Therapy dogs. Signup and view all the answers

What's an idea that was strongly opposed by management?

Changing GPA requirements for the Student Ambassador program. Signup and view all the answers

What types of problems are you required to solve day to day?

Helping staff and students navigate complicated enrollment issues. Signup and view all the answers

What's a situation where you had to problem solve a significant issue?

Resolving a communication error that impacted the annual open house. Signup and view all the answers

What's a difficult decision you've had to make?

Serving on hiring committees where friends were candidates, requiring objectivity. Signup and view all the answers

How do you start a new task? What management style do you prefer when receiving a new task?

I seek training for unfamiliar tasks and prefer clear expectations for familiar ones. Signup and view all the answers

When have you worked under pressure to meet deadlines?

After the cycle ended, I had to quickly adapt to a changed process. Signup and view all the answers

What previous job was the most satisfying?

Working as the Assistant to the Dean and AVP due to my role in helping others. Signup and view all the answers

What previous job was the most frustrating?

Working as a server in an upscale steakhouse, as I struggled with upselling. Signup and view all the answers

In what kind of environment would you like to work?

In a team that enjoys their work and can relax together. Signup and view all the answers

What kinds of responsibilities would you like to avoid in your next job?

Pestering people to complete tasks. Signup and view all the answers

What's a task you don't particularly enjoy doing?

Pulling and returning voicemails; I prefer using email. Signup and view all the answers

What's a work situation that irritated you?

Being around co-workers who endlessly complain without solutions. Signup and view all the answers

What would your reference say about you?

I hope they'd say I am dependable and a go-to person. Signup and view all the answers

What do you most/least like about your current job?

I most like that I really do help people every day. I least like that I'm not involved with day-to-day operations and decision-making like I was in previous administrative roles. Signup and view all the answers

How do you currently use organizational skills?

I use them a lot, particularly with maintaining my database of students, having accurate files, keeping up with their progress, and scheduling meetings across three different campuses. Signup and view all the answers

What would you change in your present job and why?

I would make things much more standardized to ensure more training on the front end and clearer goals for each counselor. Signup and view all the answers

What do you particularly enjoy about this employer?

I appreciate the flexibility that Wake Tech has given me, allowing me to work a flex schedule and finish my education. Signup and view all the answers

What are some things about your job that were more difficult?

Training has been an issue; I had to train myself by reaching out to others, which often resulted in missing information. Signup and view all the answers

What would your former supervisor say about the position requirements?

He'd say that it's very similar to the work I did for him, hopefully a logical next step. Signup and view all the answers

Why did you choose this career?

I have been looking for a job that combines my experience in higher education and human resources, as I want to assist staff effectively. Signup and view all the answers

How can I make a contribution to NCSU?

I bring valuable skills and a commitment to stay with the organization, different from the typical millennial job-hopper. Signup and view all the answers

Why do you want to work at NCSU?

I'd like to stay in higher education, and I am familiar with the culture at NCSU as a graduate. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss a time when your integrity was challenged.

I was accused of sharing confidential information but I hadn’t. I let my actions speak for themselves. Signup and view all the answers

Have you ever disagreed with a policy? How do you handle it?

I might observe and clarify for small issues, but for serious matters, I would propose a better policy to management. Signup and view all the answers

What's the most difficult project you've had to complete?

Onboarding, which involved research, proposal writing, and collaboration across departments. Signup and view all the answers

When have you gone above and beyond?

I believe that going above and beyond should be a daily attitude, often taking on tasks outside my job description. Signup and view all the answers

What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?

I want to ensure I do a good job and contribute positively to my workplace. Signup and view all the answers

How do you determine or evaluate success?

Success is when I am performing well and satisfied, knowing my work adds value to my company and others. Signup and view all the answers

What would you do if someone asked you to do something unethical?

I would ask them to explain their request and try to clarify my stance without being self-righteous. Signup and view all the answers

When did you experience a loss for doing something right?

When I worked authentically and wouldn’t share confidential information, some colleagues viewed me as a snob. Signup and view all the answers

Would you tell your boss about a coworker doing something dishonest?

It depends on the severity; minor breaches would be handled directly with the coworker, while serious issues would be reported. Signup and view all the answers

How do you deal with doing the same task over and over again?

I enjoy making a game out of it, finding efficient ways to complete tasks and improve my speed. Signup and view all the answers

How would your present supervisor describe you?

She would describe me as self-motivated and self-sufficient, always aware of my responsibilities. Signup and view all the answers

What assets do you feel you would bring to this job?

I have experience in HR and administration within higher education and I'm detail-oriented with a focus on people. Signup and view all the answers

What accomplishment has given you satisfaction?

Finishing my undergrad degree. Signup and view all the answers

What was a stressful situation you encountered?

Not being trained has been a very stressful experience for me, as it generates uncertainty in my knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

What type of people do you most enjoy working with?

I enjoy working with people that take pride in their work and care about what they're doing. Signup and view all the answers

When did you have to work with a difficult person?

I dealt with a micromanager and learned not to take it personally. Signup and view all the answers

When did you have to use good judgment in a difficult work situation?

I had a coworker who asked me for a loan, and while I wanted to help, I felt it wasn't professional. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Communication and Influence

Standardized travel authorization process improved clarity and efficiency for staff reimbursements.
Developed a process to manage travel arrangements, leading to quicker reimbursements and clearer communication.

Handling Difficult Situations

Navigated a sensitive hiring decision involving a toxic departmental atmosphere.
Advocated for a strong candidate despite management's initial resistance, leading to eventual change in hiring decision.

Problem-Solving in Work Environment

Fielded numerous complaints effectively while ensuring individuals felt heard and supported.
Addressed complicated enrollment issues by simplifying technical jargon for staff and students.

Customer Interaction and Patience

Maintained a compassionate attitude while assisting a frustrated job applicant; provided helpful feedback to improve their chances in future applications.
Adjusted communication styles based on the urgency of customer needs while ensuring necessary information was conveyed without rushing.

Innovation and Initiative

Designed an onboarding program for new staff, introducing a structured checklist and buddy system for improved integration.
Emphasized an understanding of various departments to facilitate quicker solutions in a bureaucratic environment.

Decision-Making and Prioritization

Detailed and analytical approach to decision-making, incorporating feedback and weighing consequences.
Utilized an urgency matrix to prioritize tasks effectively, ensuring immediate issues were addressed promptly.

Job Satisfaction and Challenges

Valued the role of being a dependable resource within administrative teams; enjoyed helping others navigate complex bureaucracy.
Experienced frustration in past positions due to lack of standardized training programs, leading to longer adjustment periods.

Work Environment Preferences

Desired workplace culture includes a supportive team that values competence and fosters a fun atmosphere.
Aimed to reduce responsibilities involving persuasion or coercion to meet task completion expectations.

Contributions and Improvements

Focused on clearer goal-setting for counselors to enhance training efficacy and operational efficiency.
Valued the flexible working conditions provided by current employer, facilitating academic and career progression.

Personal Development

Acknowledged a need for more formal training programs in previous roles to aid faster acclimatization and knowledge acquisition.
Strived to maintain persuasiveness and reliability, fostering positive working relationships while encouraging constructive feedback.### Career Choice and Motivation
Pursuing a career combining higher education, human resources, and administrative skills.
Desire to contribute positively to an organization through understanding business operations.
Enjoys participating in the hiring process, emphasizing its impact on organizational success.

Contribution to NCSU

Brings valuable skills and loyalty as an employee.
Long-standing tenure (nearly 7 years) at Wake Tech reflects commitment to workplace continuity.

Working at NCSU

Passion for staying in higher education within North Carolina, where familiarity with the culture fosters connection.
Conducted thorough research on NCSU and found it appealing.

Integrity Challenges

Encountered a situation involving confidential information that raised questions about loyalty and trust.
Faced a "he said/she said" scenario but maintained professionalism and let actions speak for themselves.

Handling Disagreements and Policies

Uses a thoughtful approach when disagreeing with policies, opting for observation or clarification.
Takes initiative to propose better policy solutions for serious issues.

Difficult Projects

Onboarding process required extensive research, proposal writing, and coordination across departments.
Achieved buy-in from existing staff, showcasing project management skills.

Work Ethic and Attitude

Believes in daily commitment to going "above and beyond" as a standard rather than an exception.
Rejects the notion of "that's not my job," proactively engaging in tasks outside of the job description.

Evaluating Success

Defines success through personal job performance, job satisfaction, and overall contribution to the workplace.

Ethical Dilemmas

Asks for clarification on ethically questionable tasks while maintaining a non-judgmental approach.
Aims to explain why certain actions might be seen as unethical without being self-righteous.

Loss from Integrity

Experienced social fallout for maintaining confidentiality regarding sensitive employee information.
Recognizes the challenge of balancing professionalism with personal relationships.

Reporting Dishonesty

Takes a measured approach to reporting minor misconduct, preferring direct communication with the colleague involved.
Is willing to report serious issues that affect departmental success.

Coping with Repetitive Tasks

Finds enjoyment in the efficiency of repetitive work, treating it as a challenge or game.

Supervisor's View

Expected description as self-motivated, self-sufficient, and proactive in managing tasks.

Skills and Assets

Possesses HR and administrative expertise within higher education and the North Carolina public sector.
Detail-oriented with a strong focus on interpersonal interactions and helping others.

Personal Accomplishments

Completing an undergraduate degree represents a significant personal achievement.

Stress Management

Experiences stress when untrained or underprepared, especially regarding providing information to others.

Enjoyable Work Environments

Prefers collaboration with diligent individuals who take pride in their work.

Working with Difficult Personalities

Encounters with micro-managers taught the importance of detachment and professional resilience.

Judgment in Professional Situations

Faced with a colleague's request for a loan, chose to decline to protect the working relationship despite discomfort.

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Description

This quiz explores the strategies and outcomes of convincing coworkers to accept new ideas. Reflect on your experiences and how effective your communication methods were in a professional setting. Share insights into the importance of collaboration and persuasion in team environments.